The staff guided the Ambassador to the premises of the Museum and presented to him the exhibits, the history of the philhellenic movement, and the important role played by the many Polish philhellenes who fought bravely on the side of the Greeks as volunteers, as well as journalists, artists and intellectuals who supported the philhellenic movement of their time.

The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) referred to the Philhellene, national poet of Poland, Adam Mickiewicz, to the officer Franciszek Mierzejewski and to the unit of Polish volunteers, who fought bravely in Peta, and sacrificed their lives to support the Greek struggle.

In parallel, SHP presented a commemorative medal depicting the Polish hero of the Greek Revolution Franciszek Mierzejewski.

 

 

Moreover, SHP presented to the Ambassador the model of the Philhellenes monument that will be placed in the centre of Athens.

Ambassador Artur LOMPART delivered to the Museum, on behalf of the Senate, the upper house of the Polish parliament, a flag as a symbol of friendship between the Polish and Greek peoples, and stated the following: “The Greek Revolution and the heroism of its fighters, inspired many enslaved nations, including Poles who lived under foreign rule at that time. We are connected by similar historical experiences and a belief in the ideals of freedom, for which we often had to pay the highest price. This closeness of our peoples is visible also today”.

 

 

 

SHP assured the Ambassador that it will continue together with the Museum of Philhellenism, to promote with their work, the common cultural values ​​of Greece and Poland, and the continuous philhellenism as a virtue, to serve the constant progress of our societies.

 

 

 

 

The winner of the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award 2021 is Roderick Beaton for Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation (London: Allen Lane 2019). In winning the Runciman Award for a fourth time, Prof. Beaton has set a new record of achievement.

Announcing the result of this year’s competition, Prof. Peter Frankopan, the chair of judges, said:

We were lucky enough to read some breath-takingly good books this year – including many that are both brave and ambitious, including re-tellings of stories that are well-known and investigations of real originality about topics rarely, if ever, looked at. Roddy Beaton’s book is a combination of all these qualities. It is not easy to write broad history for wide readership, and to do so well takes real skill. Covering recent centuries of Greece’s history requires courage too, as many have strong opinions about what should be written about – and how. What makes Beaton’s book stand out above all, however, is that just as Sir Steven Runciman’s books opened doors through which new generations of readers and scholars have since walked, so too will Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation. As a jury, we felt that this wonderful book captured the spirit of the Runciman Award perfectly.

John Kittmer, chair of the Council of The Anglo-Hellenic League, said:

 ‘On behalf of the League I warmly congratulate Roddy Beaton for winning this year’s Runciman Award. In its 35-year history Roddy is the only person to have won the award four times: a tremendous achievement. In relaunching the award under new sponsors in this year of the bicentenary of the Greek revolution, we are delighted that the judges have chosen to acknowledge the timely relevance of this great book.

The announcement of the winner of the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award 2021 was made on Thursday 17 June, 7pm at an event held (because of Covid-19 restrictions) by Zoom webinar. Prof. Stathis Kalyvas (University of Oxford) gave the keynote address on ‘Why the Greek Revolution still matters today’. Peter Frankopan surveyed the field of longlisted and shortlisted books on behalf of the panel of judges. The event closed with an acceptance speech by the winner.

The Runciman Award

  1. The Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award was conceived in 1983, as an initiative of Earl Jellicoe, the then chairman of the League, in honour of Sir Steven Runciman, the distinguished historian of Byzantium and longest-serving chairman of the League (1951-1967). It was first awarded in 1986 and has been awarded most years since then.
  2. The award is given to the best book (or books) written in English in the previous year on a Greek subject. It aims to stimulate interest in Greek history and culture from earliest times to the present; to reward and encourage good and accessible writing, of which Sir Steven’s works are an example; and to promote a wider knowledge and understanding of Greece’s contribution to civilisation and values. The prize may be awarded for a work in the field of history, literary studies, biography, travel and topography, the arts, architecture, archaeology, the environment, social and political sciences or current affairs; or for a work of fiction, poetry or drama. Translations from Greek literature into English are also eligible.
  3. No award was made in 2020. Books published in 2019 and 2020 were eligible for the award in 2021.
  4. The panel of judges for the award in 2021 comprises: Peter Frankopan (chair), Dionysis Kapsalis, Naoise Mac Sweeney, Judith Mossman and Sofka Zinovieff. The judges announced their long list of 21 titles on 14 January and their short list of 7 titles on 9 April (see www.runcimanaward.org).
  5. Roderick Beaton previously won the award in 1995 for An Introduction to Modern Greek Literature (Oxford: OUP 1994); in 2004 for George Seferis: Waiting for the Angel – A Biography (New Haven: Yale UP 2003); and in 2014 for Byron’s War: Romantic Rebellion, Greek Revolution (Cambridge: CUP 2013).
  6. Enquiries about the Runciman Award can be made to the acting award administrator (Dr John Kittmer) at info@anglohellenicleague.org. Information about the two sponsoring foundations can be found at: https://www.aclcf.org/about-en/the-foundation/and http://www.leventisfoundation.org/en/. The announcement to publishers for the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award 2022 will be made in late October 2021.

 

 

 

Ms. Maria-Zoe Lafi, Executive Director of the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, D.C., Harvard University, along with Mr. Christos Giannopoulos, Managing Director, and Mr. Evangelos Katsarelis, Programs & Events Manager, of the Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece visited the Philhellenism Museum.

They were given a tour of the Museum, were informed about the archives of the Society’s for Hellenism and Philhellenism, and discussed prospects for future cooperation and joint actions in Greece and the USA.

 

 

 

The staff guided the Ambassador to the premises of the Museum and presented to her the exhibits, the history of the philhellenic movement, and the important role played by the many Irish philhellenes who fought bravely on the side of the Greeks as volunteers or supported the action of the philhellenic committees of the time.

The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) referred to the national poet of Ireland Thomas Moore, close friend of Lord Byron and one of the founding and particularly active members of the emblematic Philhellenic Committee of London.

In parallel, SHP presented paintings and personal objects of many important Irish Philhellenes, like Edward Blaquiere, Richard Church, Sir James Emerson Tennent, etc.

SHP presented to the Ambassador the model of the Philhellenes monument that will be placed in the center of Athens.

Ambassador Iseult Fitzgerald expressed her gratitude for the tour of the museum, and welcomed the recognition given to the contribution of Irishmen as Thomas Moore and Richard Church to the cause of Greek independence. She appreciated the opportunity to learn more about this period of history.

SHP assured the Ambassador that it will continue together with the Museum of Philhellenism, to promote with their work, the common cultural values ​​of Greece and Ireland, and the continuous philhellenism as a virtue, to serve the constant progress of our societies.

 

 

 

 

The staff guided the Ambassador to the premises of the Museum and presented to her the exhibits, the history of the philhellenic movement, and the important role played by the British philhellenes who fought bravely on the side of the Greeks as volunteers or supported the action of the philhellenic committees in London and in other cities in the United Kingdom.

The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) referred to Lord Byron, but also to the crucial role played by the British politician, Foreign Minister and Prime Minister George Canning, for the liberation of Greece.

In parallel, SHP presented the world’s largest collection of personal belongings of Lord Byron and Byron’s art, the pistols of the great Philhellene and founder of the Greek Navy, Frank Abney Hastings, the diary of a British warship that took part in the naval battle of Navarino, one of the two known bonds, of the loans that Greece received from the United Kingdom in 1824, etc.

SHP presented to the Ambassador the model of the Philhellenes monument that will be placed in the center of Athens, and two anniversary medals issued on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution, in honor of Lord Byron and Frank Abney Hastings.

Ambassador Kate Smith stated
“I am proud of the contribution of Britain and my compatriots to the final successful outcome of the Greek Revolution.  Many different personalities believed in the Greek cause and actively supported the Greek Struggle.  Initiatives such as those of SHP are extremely important because they remind people of the shared history and highlight shared values and principle that underpin our bilateral relations to this day.”

SHP assured the Ambassador that it will continue together with the Museum of Philhellenism, to promote with their work, the common cultural values ​​of Greece and the United Kingdom, and the continuous philhellenism as a virtue, to serve the constant progress of our societies.

 

 

 

The Ambassador of Montenegro Ms. Ana Vukadinovic and executives of the embassy, visited the Philhellenism Museum, and were guided to its 4 floors. The staff of the Museum presented the collections, the history of the philhellenic movement and the philhellenic art, as well as the history of many emblematic philhellenes who supported the Greek Revolution.

Many of them were from Montenegro, like the fighter of the Greek Revolution Vaso Brajović Mavrovouniotis.

The Ambassador offered to the Museum a painting by Vojo Vlahović, depicting Boka Kotorska bay.

SHP warmly thanked the Ambassador for this gift.

Ms. Ana Vukadinovic stated the following:

“On behalf of the Parliament of Montenegro, it is my great honour to give Montenegrin flag and a painting as a token of our excellent relations and sharing of common values. Montenegrins stood by Greeks and will always support all efforts for liberty, democracy, human rights and rule of law.”.

The two parties agreed to take joint actions to promote relations between the two peoples.

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Martina Hermann, visited the Philhellenism Museum, she was guided in the Museum and experienced through its collections, the birth and evolution of the philhellenic movement from the Renaissance until today.

During the visit, SHP (Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism) presented to the Embassy the biographical notes of Philhellenes of Austrian origin, who participated in the Greek Revolution and fought on the side of the Greeks.

Mrs. Martina Hermann delivered to the Museum, on behalf of the Government of Austria, a flag as a symbol of friendship between the Austrian and Greek peoples, and stated the following:

“The Greek Revolution of 1821, which later led to the founding of the modern Greek state, draws its inspiration, among other things, from the universal values of Freedom and Democracy, which have their roots in ancient Greece. Especially with regard to parliamentary democracies worldwide, these values, originating from ancient Greece, are the cornerstones of nations’ self-awareness.

We still share these basic values and principles with Greece. In addition, the relations between our two countries are very friendly and are characterized by close cooperation in the EU.

I wish every success to the Museum of Philhellenism “.

 

 

The Ambassador of Georgia Mr. David Dondua and the staff members of the embassy of Georgia visited on April 20, 2021 the Philhellenism Museum, and was guided to its 4 floors. The staff of the Museum presented to him the collections, the history of the philhellenic movement and the philhellenic art, as well as the history of many emblematic philhellenes who supported the Greek Revolution.

Mr. Velentzas presented to the Museum of Philhellenism a document of great historical importance that proves the bonds of friendship between Greece and Georgia. This is a touching letter sent to Greece in 1897 by Georgian students from the University of St. Petersburg. With this letter they express their philhellenic feelings and their support to the struggle of the Greeks.

SHP warmly thanked the ambassador for this document.

Mr. David Dondua stated the following:

“Four thousand years of shared history and close cooperation between our countries and people, are a best attestation of philhellenic spirit of Georgian nation. On our planet there is no other nation closer to us than Greeks. I am so proud to represent my country in Greece”.

The ambassador also explained that the name used for Greek in Georgian is “ბერძენი” / brdzeni, which comes from the word “ბრძენი” / brdzeni and means “wise”, while Greece is called “საბერძნეთი” / Saberdzneti, meaning “the land of the wise”.

The two sides agreed to take joint actions to promote relations between the two peoples and to organize a joint exhibition.

 

 

The Greek state honors the Philhellenism Day and the contribution of the Philhellenes to the liberation of Greece.

SHP participated in the Doxology for the Philhellenism Day which took place in the Cathedral of Athens, in the presence of the President of the Republic Ms. K. Sakellaropoulou.

 

 

The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism held a closed ceremony to mark the opening of the Special Exhibition on the “American Philhellenism” of the Philhellenism Museum on April 14, 2021.  The opening was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Diaspora Constantinos Vlassis, Deputy Minister of Defence Alkiviadis Stefanis, the Ambassador of the United States to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, Deputy Chief of Defense Vice Admiral Ioannis Drymousis, Governor of Attika George Patoulis, Deputy Governor for Culture Maria Vidali and Deputy Mayor of Athens Skiadas.

The Museum of Philhellenism hosts an extensive and unique collection of paintings, personal items, firearms, books, and documents related to the Greek Revolution of 1821, with a special focus on Philhellenes from Europe and the United States.  This is the first time that many of those artefacts will be in public display.

The Museum host a special exhibition on “American Philhellenism” with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Athens, as part of its campaign “USA-Greece: Celebrating 200 Years of Friendship” commemorating Greece’s Bicentennial.  The “American Philhellenism” exhibition features impressive objects from American Philhellene, including Dr. Samuel Howe’s personal collection, lithographs of other prominent Philhellenes like the poet Fitz Halleck, books published by Everett and Ticknor, news articles from the 18th century, as well as various letters and other documents showcasing the role of the American Philhellenes in the Greek revolution.

Although the Museum is currently not open to the public due to the pandemic restrictions, it offers an online virtual tour for visitors from Greece and throughout the world:

www.phmus.org

https://phmus.org/the-museum/episkepsi-online/

During the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister Vlasis congratulated the Philhellenism Museum and the U.S. Embassy on their initiative to promote American Philhellenism, and highlighted the strong bonds between the United States and Greece.

The U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey R. Pyatt said, “Our Embassy is very proud to support the museum’s exhibition on ‘American Philhellenism’ as part of our year-long campaign to commemorate the Greek bicentennial and the two hundred years of friendship between our great democracies. American society has been enriched from its earliest days by our relationship with Greece and the Greek people.  And I’m extremely confident that even two hundred years from now, the United States will continue to stand by Greece as our trusted ally and partner.”

The Governor of Attica Mr. Patoulis, the Deputy Governor of Attica Mrs. Vidalis, and the Deputy Mayor Mr. Skiadas, stressed the importance of the Museum, and the important role of American philhellenism in building the strong bonds between the Greek and American people.

For more information about the Museum of Philhellenism contact: www.phmus.org,

www.eefshp.org
email: info@phmus.org
email: info@phmus.org
Tel: 210.8094750